prosecution

Plural: prosecutions

Noun

• the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
• the lawyers acting for the state to put the case against the defendant
• the continuance of something begun with a view to its completion
• The act of prosecuting a scheme or endeavor.
• The institution of legal proceedings (particularly criminal) against a person.
• The prosecuting party.
• In many countries, a legal body and institution, usually part of the state apparatus, empowered to perform prosecution. Prosecutor's Office. See Prosecutor.

Examples

• Backed by public outrage, the prosecution requested the death penalty to be imposed on the murderer.
• Many apartheid perpetrators escaped prosecution for their persecution of black Africans and political dissidents.
• The prosecution of the war fell to Winston Churchill.

Synonyms

criminal prosecution, pursuance

Antonyms

defense

Related Words

persecution, prosecute, sequence